Air deflecting system for automobiles

Abstract

Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to an air deflecting system positioned on an automobile and configured to produce an increased side force and / or a more favorable yawing moment when the automobile is cornering or is otherwise yawed relative to the direction of the free stream air flow. In one exemplary embodiment, the deflecting system comprises a downforce-producing horizontal rear wing located proximate the rear end of the automobile, the rear wing having an endplate on each end. In one embodiment, the endplates are angled or have cambered airfoil cross-sections such that they each generate an aerodynamic force towards the inside of a turn when the automobile is cornering.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates generally to automobile aerodynamics, and more particularly to an air deflector positioned on an automobile and configured to produce aerodynamic forces that favorably affect the forces on an automobile during cornering or when otherwise yawed.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Aerodynamic forces are commonly used by automotive engineers to enhance automobile performance, safety, and fuel economy. Engineers shape the body contour of an automobile to create and enhance certain aerodynamic forces. In one example, many racing and high-performance automobiles are equipped with rear spoilers that produce downforce or “negative lift” proximate the rear end of the vehicle. Such downforce improves the automobile's traction or ability to hold the road. However, in addition to adding desirable downforce, rear spoilers sometimes add performance-reducing drag to the automobile. This trade-off effectively illustrates the need for automotive...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

This rolling moment 302 is usually undesirable in that it makes the vehicle more prone to a rollover and also reduces the weight or downward pressure on the inside tires 303 thereby reducing the ability of the inside tires 303 to grip the road.

In high speed racing applications, the combination of the negative yawing moment 308 and the automobile's inertia may exceed the tires' ability to grip the surface of the road resulting in a slide or a “spin-out” of the racecar.

For example, if the magnitude of the side force 306 required of the rear tires 304 is greater than the side force that the rear tires 304 can withstand, the rear of the vehicle will slide toward the outside of the turn, potentially resulting in a spin-out of the automobile.

This is generally referred to as “understeer.” A driver may describe a car that is more prone to understeer as being “tight.” However, even if the tires can effectively resist the yawing moments and the inertial energy produced during cornering without causing the automobile to over or under steer, the high heat and friction that results in the tires may prematurely degrade and wear some or all of the tires.

These horizontal wings are generally not configured to provide a significant sideforce and are not intended for altering the yawing or rolling moments of the automobile.

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